Don't sit by me!
I've noticed that people go to great lengths not to sit by anyone on the bus or in that matter anywhere in public such as the doctor's office in the waiting room. People will stand for and hour before they would sit next to someone. I think American culture has pushed us to be standoffish and to avoid contact with strangers and stay to yourself. Our bodies want to avoid this contact. It's never been normal for us to do that and I'm guessing it never will be.
Thank you so much for posting about his odd behavior we exhibit in everyday environment. At times, I have found myself coming in to class quite early to find seating so that I wont have to look around a crowded room to pick out the empty spots.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with this. I have a big personal bubble, I don't like to sit by people if I don't trust them.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about this before reading this post but it's totally true! Even when walking into lectures, people won't sit by each other and instead will take the seat that has both seats next to it not filled. It's like people are afraid they will irritate another person by being too close to them; like they are going to burst their bubble or something!
ReplyDeleteI agree, like what everyone said, there are people have gone to an extent where they are sitting by themselves and not next to others. Ideally, a majority of the population are uncomfortable in situations with someone they don't know. However, its is best to remember that because we live in the US and not like other communities where family/friend ties are close, so we should just suck it up and go with it.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this for the past few days! I was going to do a blog about it but decided not to. I have noticed this as well, especially in classes. When people are coming in and starting to fill up seats, they will seat one or two seats away from someone. I wonder why we don't like to sit next to others? I've noticed that women do it more often than men. I personally feel awkward going and sitting right next to someone because I am shy and I don't like to initiate conversation and by sitting next to someone I feel like you should talk to them. This is a very good observation of our culture.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm lazy, so I don't agree with one of your statements: I would GLADLY sit down next to someone before I had to stand for an hour. But now, on to your original point. The fascinating things is that I think other-oriented psychological economics to further increase itself. Just think: you're sitting on the bus with one other person. The bus stops, and one other person gets on the bus. This person decides to sit right next to the other person on this huge bus. WHAT?? I can't even describe to you what kind of gaze I would be aiming towards her, but the gaze is certainly present in this body practice.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is truly a very good observation of American culture and I am glad that you bring this up, so that we can think about it. I think when people are seating one seat away from the others, it's more like every person either wants to have his or her own space, or he or her does not want to invade other people's spaces. If a stranger sit right next to you while there is more than plenty of seats in the classroom, you probably ask yourself why is that person sitting next to you, or you may ask is that person interested in you. For me, I don't really care if the person wants to sit next to me, while there are seats, and I would love to initiate a conversation with that person. Last but not the least, I think this culture is universal as well, among the world, it's what I have noticed.
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